Mannings return to NSU

A pair of current NFL Pro Bowl quarterbacks, as well as hundreds of college and high school standouts will grace the Nicholls State University campus this week.

It’s that time of the year again – the 15th-Annual Manning Passing Academy rolls through Thibodaux, beginning Thursday and lasting through Sunday.

Each year, close to 1,000 quarterbacks, halfbacks, receivers and tight ends from all across the country enroll in the camp to seek the counsel of the first-family of NFL quarterbacks.

In addition to Peyton, Eli, Archie and Cooper, a staff of more than 100 high school, collegiate and professional coaches and counselors will be in attendance to sharpen the campers’ skills.

The camp is sold out to those wishing to participate, but sessions will be open to public wishing to see the Indianapolis Colts’ and New York Giants’ quarterbacks at work.

Several Tri-parish athletes are scheduled to take part in the four-day event.

Previous graduates of the Manning camp are Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford, former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and former No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and LSU standout JaMarcus Russell.

Proceeds to the camp go to the Nicholls State athletic department. Throughout the years, the New Orleans-native Manning family has assisted the university in getting new field turf in John L. Guidry, as well as getting new lighting for the facility.

This is the sixth year the camp is at Nicholls. It originally started at Tulane for one season, before moving Southeastern Louisiana University.

FILE PHOTO